Construction Materials Prices Rise Again in February

For the fifth consecutive month, prices for construction materials increased, rising 1.1% in February according to the March 16 Producer Price Index (PPI) report by the Department of Labor. Year-over-year, construction materials prices are up 6.1%.

Numerous categories experienced significant increases in materials prices in February. Steel mill product prices jumped 4.7% for the month and are up 13.3% year-over-year. Iron and steel producer prices were up 2.8% in February and are up 16.8% over the last 12 months. Nonferrous wire and cable prices increased 1.4% in February and are 11.9% higher from the same time last year. Prices for fabricated structural metal products increased by 0.9% in February and are up 4.6% year-over-year. Prepared asphalt, tar roofing, and siding prices increased by 0.6% for the month and are up 2% over the past 12 months.

Categories in which prices declined include softwood lumber, down 2.7% in February, but up 0.2 % compared to the same time last year. Plumbing fixtures and fittings prices slipped 0.2% for the month, but are up 1.5% year-over-year. Concrete product prices were down 0.2% for the month and down 0.4% from February 2010.

Crude energy prices increased 0.9% for the month and are unchanged from the same time last year. Overall, the nation’s wholesale prices jumped 1.6% in February — the largest increase since June 2009. Year-over-year, wholesale finished goods prices are up 5.8%.

Source: The Associated Builders and Contractors


Want to use this article? Click here for options!





Acceptable Use Policy
blog comments powered by Disqus

what's wrong here?

What's Wrong Here?

May 10, 2012 12:44 PM

What's Wrong Here?

Apr 19, 2012 10:09 AM

What's Wrong Here?

Apr 5, 2012 2:27 PM

View all What's Wrong Here?

product spotlight

Solar kit

May 18, 2012 8:21 AM

Solar kit

Designed to support the company’s Piccolo and Concerto C2000 MCUs, the Solar Explorer kit features a non-isolated design ...

View all 2012 Product Spotlights

Free Product Info

Our Product Information site is the ultimate online resource for products and services offered by Advertisers featured in our Magazine. This service is provided as a quick and easy way to request Product Information online. Get FREE product information now.

Recent Comments

More...


Social Media

More ways to stay informed...

follow us on twitter

Find us on Facebook

EC&M Whitepaper

Arc Mitigation –A Three-Step Approach

Did you know that an arc-flash incident hospitalizes 5-7 workers per day in North America, severely impacting processes and profitability with lost production? Download This Sponsored Whitepaper Today!

What's New in Residential Cabling?
Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Time: 2:00pm ET


In this The Home Depot sponsored Low Voltage Webinar, Ron Kipper RCDD / NTS will discuss the need for compression style coaxial connectors and the migration of the entire CATV, Satellite and Audio / Video industry to them. Register Today!

Grounding Versus Bonding
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012
Time: 2:30pm ET


In this 60-minute FREE webinar, Mike Holt of Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc. will explain the purpose of grounding and bonding as related to the most current requirements set forth in the 2011 NEC. Register Today!

resources

product info icon

product info

tradeshow icon

tradeshow

research icon

research

industry links

industry links

rss icon

rss

Browse Back Issues

Browse Back Issues